Chapter 39.1- The Seadragon's Roar

XXXXX-EARLY 110 AC

“You can’t pretend like you don’t know what’s going on forever” Laena said, walking into the room in Bloodstone I had converted into a full time study. So much progress in so little time, and most of it stood to be undone thanks to one fool.

“Pretending? I’m just thinking” I said.

“Thinking. That’s why you’re hiding here and you’ve refused to see either Uncle or Bernard all day”

“They both have advice they want to give. Each of them thinks they’re right— and both of them are right in their own way.” I said.

“How? I think it is pretty cut and dry”

“Not necessarily. Allan did the act, yes. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he raped the girl. The same way there is no doubt that her brother knocked out several of his teeth and kept going even long after the soldiers intervened.”

“So? He just had his sister raped”

“You think I don’t understand that? If anyone dared touch you, I’d remove their head and dare the gods to say anything about it. But I have the power to declare myself above the law. They do not. The brother will have to face the punishment for assault. Maester Bernard will try to tell me that it is a bad idea. And then there is Uncle Vaemond’s take on things.”

“His take?”

“He will not want to see Allan punished. Because there is another dimension you fail to consider. Allan is a newly promoted Captain. One of the best sailors Vaemond has under his command, and the girl is a former slave. Not even two years ago, and she would not have been able to complain if a freed man had raped her. It would not even have been considered rape where she came from.” I said.

“So because she used to be a slave, you’re going to let him get away with raping her”

“No. I never said I was going to follow either path, but Vaemond will argue in favour of this one. And he will have a point. The sailors are the backbone of the Stepstones. There is no group of people more important. They bring us food, resources, and as of recent, gold, from selling our products abroad. Their loyalty is important, and they have taken this matter up on their shoulders. They will see punishing Allan as making a decision on their worth”

“So you would have them think they can get away with just raping anyone?” She said, and I narrowed my eyes. Of course.

“I probably should have asked Ben to send you back as well” I said. She inhaled, nostrils flaring.

“He wouldn’t dare. And neither would you have dared give the order if you know what’s good for you”

“I thought you were coming here as a neutral, but you have your mind made up on what I should do as well”

“Of course I do. Of course. He raped her, Laenor. Imagine I was the one. Yes, you are making a decision on the worth of the sailors, but so what? They can’t just rape people. No matter what they do for our economy.”